Friday, December 19, 2008

Today’s reading starts with these verses: “These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm…” Peter’s point in today’s reading, as it is throughout much of his epistles, is the necessity that we live our life through Jesus Christ, and once we take that step, we cannot go back to our sinning ways.

I have certainly felt like a waterless spring and a mist driven by a storm lately. My job is taking up a great deal of my time and energy, much more so that the typical 8 to 5 routine. Plus, I have all the holiday issues weighing on me – shopping, cards, visitors, etc. etc. etc. I can’t remember a time when I have felt so far away from Christ at the very time when He should be the focus of my life.

I am reconciled to the fact that, as a human being with free will, I am a sinner and will always be a sinner. My weakness at this very time is an indication of that. By allowing myself to become self-absorbed, I have opened a door to the evil that is always there, trying to keep Christ from my life. I don’t open this door willingly, nor do I want to feel overwhelmed and overloaded. But, the point is that I allow it to happen. According to Peter, “people are slaves to whatever masters them”.

So, it’s time for me to pick myself up and remember what it’s all about, because it certainly is not all about me. If I’m sending Christmas cards out of obligation and not out of the love of the season, then I shouldn’t be sending cards. If I’m shopping just to pick up any old thing that I can find fast, than I’m certainly not celebrating the reason for the season. That door to evil is just getting wider and wider.